Originally Posted by SteveHansen

"Quiet" is a relative term.

When I got my first real apartment, I had been used to living in a dorm. For the first few months, that apartment was extremely quiet. At first, I couldn't hear anything. Gradually, over time, I started hearing the neighbors.

When I got my first house, I had been used to living in the apartment. For the first few months, the house was extremely quiet. At first, I couldn't hear anything. Gradually, over time, I started hearing the neighbors.

When I got my first new car, I had been used to driving an old truck with a bad muffler. For the first few months, the car was extremely quiet. At first, I couldn't hear anything. Gradually, over time, I started hearing the machinery.

When I got my first hybrid car, I had been used to driving a gasoline car. For the first few months, the hybrid car was extremely quiet. At first, I couldn't hear anything. Gradually, over time, I started hearing the machinery.

I doubt that the apartment, the house, and the two cars all became louder during the first few months that I owned them. I believe I just became accustomed to the sound levels, and more attuned to the sounds that were present in each place.